Our students

The Alexandria Institute program is a fantastic way to study Greek. It offers solid grammatical information interwoven with stories and songs that bring the language to life. Andreas’ knowledge of local Chios history and the larger span of Greek history is vast and he gives generously of his wisdom. Emmi offered us many insights into everyday life in Greece and introduced us to the words that make up the interactions we can expect to have with others as we live and travel in Greece. Together they demonstrate exceptional skills as highly trained teachers, able to adapt the lessons to meet the needs of each student. All of this was part of a schedule that took us out of the classroom into the beauty of Chios where we experienced the best the island has to offer. Swimming, delicious traditional food and visits to historic sites enriched the program. And best of all, everything was seasoned with laughter and merriment. As a professional teacher I recommend these programs as some of the best I have experienced and I hope to continue my studies with Alexandria Institute in the future!

I greatly enjoyed Alexandria Institute’s Greek language course. We worked together in perfect harmony. The culture course was also of great interest. The staff of Alexandria Institute are really great. I would recommend it to all those who wish to study Greek language in a lovely environment, where problems are solved immediately in case of need, and where they can enjoy relax and the natural kindness and friendship of the Greek People.

Dear Irini & Andreas, I would like to wholeheartedly thank you for these delightful weeks with you and with such an amazing group of extremely intelligent, wise and interesting colleagues. Andreas, you truly went out of your way to make every detail of this experience perfect. You are both knowledgeable of Greek but especially of people and their psychology.

I’ve been studying Greek for twenty years. Now, apart from this, I can also understand what the Greek songs are saying. I’m happy, and I want to thank Irini for that! I’m happy, and I want to thank Andreas! I want to come back again and attend the next course without using a single word in English or Italian. I’ll see you. Lots of kisses. Roger from Switzerland

I really enjoyed these two weeks session in Paros. The lessons in small group between three and six students were a great opportunity to make great progress allowing easy participation of each student. The session is a mix of grammar, vocabulary, speaking, reading and... singing, which makes the sessions comprehensive, dynamic and enjoyable. The cultural part included a very interesting and an on-going excavation in Despotikon and much more. Great thanks to all the Alexandria Institute team!

Rosalia and Andreas, A HUGE THANK YOU. We loved taking class here. Thank you for helping us talk to our grandpa. We will miss you both so much. Until next year!!! Layla and Katia

Big thank you to everyone, that was great. Thanks for all your help. We learned so much! All is well that ends well! We’ll miss you! Goodbye. Christine and Frank

This was the second time I took that course and I probably enjoyed Andreas’ magnificent lesson as well as all the tutors’ company more than I did last year. I wish we could take two more weeks, but I hope that there are going to be plenty more opportunities in the future for us to take a sip of this knowledge drug!

I love taking Greek language courses in Greece every couple of years. This year, I wanted to go somewhere I’d never been before. Chios was an unknown destination. So, I decided to find something there. I have to say, the choice turned out to be a very successful one, as it far exceeded my expectations. We would work in a beautiful yard. And a day later, the teacher and all students became friends. Courses were held exclusively in Greek. We talked about everyday life, traditions, culture, history. The teacher and the students asked me to run a presentation on CERN physics, and I gave it a shot. I’m not sure I made it, but I’m positive I picked up a few technical words. Every afternoon, the teacher would organize little trips and take the students to the beach and to taverns. We enjoyed beautiful landscapes, Byzantine churches, museums… Everything is in Greek, almost to a full extent. I just want to say here that I learnt so many things and had an excellent vacation!

Thank you, Andreas! Not only for the language course, but also for the historical anecdotes, the cultural excursions, the mythological stories and the etymological digressions: you are a polymath! Although we were sometimes driving you crazy («τρελός»), you never lost your cool («σιγά σιγά»)! Jorie

The courses: detailed and enjoyable. Chios: beautiful! Food: tasty! P.S.: My Greek is far from perfect, but I am improving, and having fun while doing it!

I didn’t think that coming back for a second time and participate to the course in Chios again would be such a good idea! Chios is such a beautiful island with not so many tourists and nature is wild. The Modern Greek lessons, held in the morning, are suited to the students’ needs and understanding. Having two teachers, who made a really good team, gave us two different views on the Greek language. Andreas has a lot of knowledge on Ancient Greek, mythology and knows much on Chios and its history. Emmi gave us a little view on usual expressions of everyday life and we did have some cooking tips. And let’s not forget the traditional (and sometimes unexpected) food, beautiful wild beaches and charming villages.

I greatly enjoyed the course held by the Alexandria Institute at Methoni. So rich and diverse. Apart from the courses, we also went on excursions, which personally helped me find out a lot about the history of Greece. Special thanks to Andreas and Katerina for their informative lessons. Eleni from Moscow.

I hadn’t exactly planned on taking those courses… that turned out to be surprisingly good; great tutor, but the students were great too, as well as the afternoon excursions, since the tutor is also a seasoned guide. Going to taverns at nights... all in all, an enjoyable experience! I hope we can carry on with skype session throughout the winter!

This is a unique opportunity to study Greek in a somewhat non-conventional setting. Here, in the location that classes were held, at Voulamandis House, you sleep, study, and get to know other in an orange grove! On most Greek islands, you are constantly surrounded by t-shirt sellers, donut vendors and the smell of souvlaki and sun-tan lotion. Here, you experience the countryside in Campos, a unique and romantic setting. The excursions with Andreas, our teacher, were fantastic. Be sure and go when these excursions are offered. Overall, this is an opportunity to enjoy a quieter island that has much to offer. Excellent beaches too.

I wanted to start by saying that I have been on many trips and a few language courses, but none of them would ever hold a candle to the experience this camp gave me. I had an absolutely wonderful time! Yes, the lessons are fun, but there is so much more that this camp offers. You go to beautiful beaches, eat great food, meet new people from all over the world, all while learning Greek at the same time. Truly, this is a wonderful experience to be here.

My teacher. So thank you, I loved your lessons, you’ve been a fabulous guide that introduced me to a fabulous language and its immense culture. Thank you for being so patient; and apologies for being such a lazy, undisciplined and disruptive student. But remember: a teacher is measured by how much his/her student can talk. And on this solo trip of mine I did talk. And in GREEK!!! And I met wonderful people, their culture, their treasure. Keep in mind: «Teach me and I’ll forget; Show me and I may not remember; Involve me and I’ll understand. » This is what a good teacher does... and you did it. Thank you!

Thank you very much for your open way of teaching, the excellent way of inspiring everybody with your knowledge and your humor, those ouzo shots we had together, the beautiful spots you took us to, the magnificent food you provided and, of course, the... verbs 😉 ! Thank you sooo much! This is what a good teacher does... and you did it. Thank you!

First of all, I want to thank you very much for the very nice time I had in Chios. You are not only a very good teacher but also a very good host and Cicerone. You have shown us the most characteristic, typical and interesting things of the island, in a very attractive way moreover. About the lessons, I liked them a lot, I learned many new things that I didn’t know before and the use you make of music, jokes, mini videos, etc. is very useful and amazing. Humor is very important to live and to learn new things. Now I will continue with my lessons in Spain, but everything will be different since I will always remember you and your lessons, and these days on Chios while studying, speaking, reading Greek. I hope we will have the opportunity to meet in the future, I will look your web page regularly and if I can, maybe I will attend one of your courses next year. Until then, thank you very much again. A great pleasure to have met you.

Thank you so much for your time and patience with my very inadequate Greek. I thoroughly enjoyed the course, and I have learned quite a lot even if it did not seem so to you! I would like to return next year when perhaps I will be able to keep up. I really appreciated our excursions around the island, with all the swimming, eating and drinking along with the culture. It was a pleasure to visit such beautiful places in such good company, and it was good to broaden my experience of Chios beyond my focus on Emporio. Voulamandis House is a wonderfully friendly and welcoming place to stay, and an ideal choice to hold the course. I will remember our classes in the courtyard under the vines.

This was the first time I attended a Greek language course in Greece. This year, I had the opportunity to take a language course for advanced students at a really nice place – in the town of Nafplio, that has some excellent beaches nearby. I was given the chance to learn Greek in Greece as well as visit archaeological sites around (Mycenae, Epidavros). The course was very interesting, consisting of history, literature, culture and Greek linguistic history sessions. I learned a lot of many new things about Greece and its culture. Sessions were held in “Palamidis” library, which was truly suitable for a course like that. Andreas, our teacher, spoke to us about so many fascinating things (origin of Greek words, idioms, slang, useful history facts) and we picked up so many things in just two weeks’ time.

It was a fantastic week for me! I greatly enjoyed the courses and learned so many things. I find it hard to speak, but we had to do it during the lessons! You have a great sense of humor, just like my two sons. Apart from the lessons, you also organized a lot of excursions. The one I took with you was very nice. I couldn't muster any more energy to take part in more of them. Last night, I enjoyed my dinner at “Apomero”, hanging out with the rest of the group! It was a fitting end to a great week with new friends. Thank you so much. Kisses. Eleni

I had two great weeks on Chios. We spoke in Greek, we went shopping, we sang Greek songs, shared jokes and laughs... Thank you very much.

Thanks for those terrific weeks we all had back there on Chios. It was a unique chance to probe not only into the language but also familiarize ourselves with the Greek way of life... ouzo, taverns, staying out late, Arkas! We talked about so many interesting things: history of Chios and Greece, literature, word etymology... But it wasn’t just studying hard... We told so many jokes... the most important thing, though, was that we learned so much and had a wonderful time doing so...

I didn’t know what to expect from this linguistic course but I certainly have not been disappointed! You have organized everything so nicely. We learned, ate, drunk, sang, swam, walked and a lot more all in good spirits. As a language teacher myself I really enjoyed the well-organized set up and the natural, friendly atmosphere. The well-planned yet so relaxing excursions immersed us not just in the beautiful sea but in the culture of this rich island of Chios. Thank you for sharing it all with us and for being so patient! Thank you so much.